Chapter 33


    Chapter 33


    Monica consoled Salma. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up, Salma You were just looking out for Anastasia*


    Looking towards the living room, she muttered, ‘Maybe destiny thought Anastasia got the short end of


    the stick these past years, so it threw her this marriage as a way to make up for the bad luck.”


    Salma replied, “Herman seems like a pretty good catch”


    Monica hadn’t filled Salma in on Herman’s real identity. Since Anastasia and Herman were still sleeping


    in separate beds, spilling the beans would backfire. Knowing Anastasia, she would march straight to


    city hall and file for divorce.


    However,


    they fell in love, the tides could turn.


    Lunch was a feast, all hand–made by Anastasia with a little help from Herman.


    Everyone gathered around the table, and Anastasia cheerfully greeted everyone, “Hope you’re all


    starving. Dig in! Ms. Katelyn, Herman mentioned you’re into light dishes. These are pretty mild and


    should be up your alley.”


    “Absolutely perfect. Katelyn chuckled, her eyes sweeping over Anastasia and Herman. Her words


    carried a double meaning.


    Not only was the food just right, but her daughter–inw was also just what she hoped for.


    Anastasia didn’t catch the subtext, but Monica did. It seemed Katelyn was quite pleased with her new


    daughter–inw.


    With the mother–inw hurdle cleared, the rest should be smooth sailing.


    Monica felt a bit relieved then presented a gift with a smile. “Ana, here’s a little something for your


    wedding. May you grow old together and have kids


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    you grow


    soon.”


    “Monica, you’re too kind” Anastasia took the gift, smiling faintly. “Thank you.”


    Katelyn added, “Well, you’re married now. Time to start thinking about kids. You bounce back quicker


    when you’re young, right Salma?”


    Salma, considering the asion, agreed, “It’s a good time to start nning.”


    When she heard the blessing to have children soon, Anastasia blushed. Seeing both elders pressuring


    her, she stole a nce at Herman.


    Herman stated, “As for having kids, let’s just go with the flow.”


    With Herman’sment, the topic was dropped. If a man didn’t want kids, it could mean he was not


    ready to take on a family, or he wasn’t prepared to spend his life with his wife and build aplete


    family.


    Monica tentatively asked, “Herman, you’re 30 now. Most guys your age are itching to have kids. You


    say you’re not in a rush, but you must have some sort of n, right?”


    Seeing everyone pushing her to have kids, Anastasia felt a bit awkward.


    Herman nced at Anastasia, then answered honestly, “No ns. We’ll let fate decide.” He figured she


    wasn’t ready to have kids either, so he wasn’t in a hurry.


    But Monica found his response a little too casual. She worried Herman was just toying with Anastasia


    but couldn’t say much more.


    *Come on, let’s eat,” Anastasia said, changing the subject with a smile. “Mom, try some of this. Ms.


    Katelyn, Flynn, dig in. Don’t be shy, make yourselves at home.”


    In this setting, Flynn could only stay silent, but he replied with a smile, “Thanks, Ana.”


    The lunch went on without a hitch.


    Katelyn was very warm towards Salma, striking up a casual conversation, mostly about Anastasia’s


    childhood.


    Katelyn, of course, wanted to know more about their family. Learning Salma worked in a hotel, she


    didn’t look down on her at all. Instead, she felt sorry for Salma’s hardship. Raising a child alone was no


    easy task.


    Katelyn was very impressed with Salma. They got along so well, they dropped formalities and started


    calling each other ‘dear‘.


    After lunch, Herman took the initiative to clean up, letting Anastasia rest and dragging Flynn into the


    kitchen.


    Looking at the pile of dishes in the sink, Flynn didn’t know whether tough or cry. “Herman, I don’t do


    dishes.”


    Leaning against the fridge, Herman replied nonchntly, “Anyone with half a brain can do it.”


    Flynn,


    Flynn reluctantly epted the task, donning gloves and getting to work. “Herman, why don’t you hire a


    maid, or have someone sent from home?”


    Herman grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and began to supervise. “A wage earner can’t afford


    a maid.”


    Flynn murmured, “Herman, you have a wife. Do you really have to pretend to be poor? You two running


    a stall at the Night Market, living in this tiny house…. This house isn’t even as big as our swimming


    pool.”


    Herman nced at Anastasia in the living room. “She’s different from other girls. She wants someone


    on the same level, living in the same world.”


    Flynn, “The world of the poor?”